Conrail Cleans Fuel Spill In Easton

Conrail yesterday started efforts to clean up diesel fuel spilled late Monday afternoon when a fuel tank on a locomotive was punctured by track debris near Phillipsburg.

The locomotive was part of an eight-locomotive train, according to a Conrail spokeswoman, who said the third engine in the line was hit about 4 p.m. She said she could not provide an estimate of the amount of fuel that was spilled, but local officials said at least 200 gallons leaked.

Some locomotives can hold about 3,500 gallons of fuel, according to one source.

Easton Deputy Fire Chief Gerald Flavelle said an undetermined amount of fuel spilled into the Delaware River when the train crossed into Pennsylvania. The Conrail spokeswoman said she didn't know what the debris was or whether it had been deliberately placed on the tracks.

She said the spill was being cleaned up in accordance with state environmental regulations.

Fire department personnel and city road crews were called out to place absorbent material to soak up fuel that spilled on Route 611 near the 3rd Street bridge.

A crew yesterday was excavating contaminated soil on Conrail property along Canal Street, near Stewart Street.